Baron's Folly
Date 30 September 2009
Event ID 913501
Category Management
Type Site Management
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/913501
Octagonal summerhouse and observatory with piended roof surmounted by iron finial. Gothick pointed window openings on three sides, boarded up. Later wooden door to NE. Random rubble with dark whinstone pinnings and rusticated quoins on window and door openings. Welsh slate roof.
Prominently situated on summit of Down Law within the Fairnington estate. Baron´s Folly was built as a summerhouse and observatory by Baron Robert Rutherford, merchant, into whose hands the estate of Fairnington passed in c.1777. It is described as a summerhouse on John Ainslie´s 'Map of the Southern Part of Scotland´ of 1821 but by 1843 is recorded as 'Baron´s Folly´. It is visible from several miles away from every direction and is an important feature in the landcape. (Historic Scotland)
